2013 Forecast: Active gas well numbers increase slightly ///

The number of producing U.S. gas wells showed signs of growth in 2012, just barely reversing the negative trend of the previous year. Producing wells were up 0.1% (389 wells), as compared to a 1.6% drop at the end of 2011.
The number of producing U.S. gas wells showed signs of growth in 2012, just barely reversing the negative trend of the previous year. Producing wells were up 0.1% (389 wells), as compared to a 1.6% drop at the end of 2011.
Even despite dismal gas prices, all states containing the Marcellus shale increased their numbers of producing gas wells. Ohio increased its producing well count 0.5% (up 173 wells), Pennsylvania rose 1.5% (up 789 wells) and West Virginia climbed 1.7% (up 827 wells). Pennsylvania featured the greatest number of producing gas wells, outside of Texas, in 2011, and retained that distinction in 2012.